Rory McIlroy has finished runner up at the Dubai Desert Classic to Haotong Li

McIlroy finished on 22 under a shot behind the winner in a record-breaking battling final round.

He looked well on course to secure his first Tour win since September 2016 when he led by two on the 12th.

The win gives 22-year-old Li a second European Tour title, as well as a place in the world's top 50.

McIlroy has now finished third and second in his two starts since calling an early end to an injury-plagued and winless 2017 campaign, but will be disappointed at failing to convert a two-shot lead at halfway.

The 28-year-old's closing 69 left him on 22 under par, two shots ahead of England's Tyrrell Hatton, who saved par on the 18th in a closing 66 despite finding the water with his approach.